The USTA is making a radical revision to US Open blended doubles.
Is it blended magic or blended insanity?
The 2025 US Open Blended Doubles Championship might be contested in the course of the first week of the US Open – Fan Week – to be performed Tuesday, August 19–Wednesday, August 20.
With the Blended Doubles Championship now not performed throughout the primary draw of singles play, the USTA touts “a blockbuster subject of the game’s greatest stars have a higher alternative to workforce as much as vie for this coveted Grand Slam title and a $1 million winner’s prize.”
Given the actual fact the US Open will function its first Sunday begin in Open Period historical past this summer season, the query is: Will singles stars choose to play the Blended Doubles and danger potential harm?
The Blended Championship will take middle stage over two days of competitors in Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. With the shift additionally comes extra alternatives for followers in every single place to take pleasure in watching their favourite stars compete for one more Grand Slam title, with deliberate first-time primetime ESPN and worldwide broadcast protection of the Championship.
“I couldn’t be extra excited to introduce this groundbreaking innovation to the 2025 US Open Championships,” mentioned Lew Sherr, USTA Govt Director and CEO. “We’ll be scheduling blended doubles on the middle stage and enabling extra followers worldwide to benefit from the thrill of watching their favourite stars compete for this coveted Grand Slam Championship title. One of many main causes the US Open is among the many premier sports activities occasions on the planet is as a result of it options the most effective athletes, each female and male, competing on an equal stage.
“That is the official US Open Blended Doubles Championship, and by giving the competitors its personal highlight we’re elevating blended doubles to place a good higher concentrate on the unbelievable expertise we now have throughout the game. We’re working carefully with prime gamers, lots of whom are wanting to be a part of this historic change. Having our broadcasting companions, together with ESPN, onboard to showcase this innovation solely provides to the thrill, guaranteeing that followers in every single place will get to witness these elite athletes workforce up and redefine the sport collectively.”
US Open girls’s singles finalist Jessica Pegula mentioned, “As a participant who enjoys competing in doubles, I’m excited for the chance to play the 2025 US Open Blended Doubles Championship in the course of the first week. I recognize the significance of innovation and exploring new methods to have interaction extra followers and develop our sport.”
The 2025 US Open males’s finalist Taylor Fritz, who has gained the Eisenhower Cup blended doubles partnering Aryna Sabalenka, praised the transfer.
“Blended doubles is all the time an important problem, and I’ve had some wonderful experiences with it over time, from the Olympics to the United Cup, and even the USO Blended Insanity final 12 months,” Fritz mentioned. “I’m undoubtedly wanting ahead to the prospect to compete for a Grand Slam title sooner or later.”
The reimagination of the 2025 US Open Blended Doubles Championship comes following the great success of the 2024 US Open Blended Insanity in Arthur Ashe Stadium, gained by Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Substantial attendance figures, together with enthusiasm from broadcast companions and optimistic suggestions from gamers, companions and followers confirmed the need for a showcase of prime gamers on this format. Improvements embrace:
A participant subject that includes 16 groups – eight groups incomes direct entry primarily based on their mixed singles rating and eight wild-card entries.Finest-of-three-set matches with quick units to 4 video games, no-ad scoring, tiebreakers at four-all and a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a 3rd set.The ultimate might be a best-of-three set match to 6 video games, that includes no-ad scoring, with tiebreakers at six-all and a 10-point match tiebreaker in lieu of a 3rd set.All matches performed in Arthur Ashe Stadium or Louis Armstrong Stadium.
